Steam Punk Metal Head.

Filip Sawczuk has a talent in making old metal come to life.
His Triumph Bobber (previous article) is typical of this.
But Filip is a true to life artist who sees things as they are.
No arthouse antics, just plain and raw industrial beauty.

Check him out here:

http://www.filsawczuk.com/


       

Full Metal Jacket

Customer Filip has been heavily modifying a Triumph T100sc. This is his first bike and we can't stress how enthusiastic and determined this guy is. No matter what problems arrise, he refuses to give up.
Some hard lessons learnt along the way (trusted a dodgey mechanic and the first engine re-build stung him hard), also a few people claiming to be able to tackle jobs they are not capable of - welding for one...
But that's all in the past as this beast is now coming along nicely!
We have been offering advise and supplying parts for this build from it's humble begginings and it's good to see it in it's finishing stages.

The following is basically how the machine arrived to us, but i will get the early stage pics because the amount of work involved to get it to a roller was quite amazing - especially for the fact that Filip built 90% of it in his flat living room!!





                    

Filip was right to be suspicious about the previous "engine builder".

When we started to strip down this abused 500cc, we were astounded to say the least!

The head was painted gloss black, but they didn't remove or mask the valves, springs etc. The exhaust valves were burnt and the guides worn.

Removing the paint was very painstaking as they painted the head without removing tar, grit and the usual contaminents.
In a nutshell, they pulled the head off, quick degrease and painted everything as it is.

The barrels now off and we found new piston rings installed on standard old, worn and damaged pistons. The bore also had scores and was not honed.

With the timing cover off we have come to the conclusion that the cases have never been split...Hope at last! I say hope because if no
one has touched the bottom end then the chances are that the damage stops here.

Just when we had our hopes up we removed the inner and outer g/box cover and we were shocked beyond belief...The picture tells the story.


 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
The gear cluster looks like it's been in a sewer, no wonder Filip was worried that his gears were not shifting by hand and k/starter won't work!

I'm amazed at the fact that the bloke who "re-built" this engine ever thought that he would fool anyone into attempting to fire it up!
SHAME!!!




                                                           The Re-build:

We Hydro Tech blast alloy parts and polish covers, it's the best way to go, if you want details, please contact us for more details regarding this process.

 
 
 
This is how a Triumph alloy head should look.
It wasn't easy to get all the crap off it but well
worth the effort.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Chemical cleaning and balancing is imperative to any engine re-build.

Crank, rods, cams and pinions installed and cases now ready to marry.

 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

If your engine is not this clean during the re-build, then you're not doing it right.
Take your time, have plenty of white cloth rags
hanging about and keep wiping!

Next - Rings gapped, pistons to conrods to take bored, honed and painted barrels!
Don't forget to cover the cases when installing the piston circlips. That's the last thing you need. Dropping a circlip down the cases...


 
 
 

At this stage we like to triple check everything... And everything is perfect!

Getting close, we have re-built the head, rocker assys completely and torqued it down to the barrels.

The gearbox and clutch assy are also assembled.

The engine is now ready to fit onto the motorcycle.

It does help to have someone help guide or lift to avoid any damage to the frame or other components - not to mention personal injury.
Time now to align the engine, tighten bolts and double check everything.





We are very pleased with the result so far and Filip is preparing a headlight bracket and other odds and ends.
The next stage is the exhaust and elecrical system. Carby and Dizzy are also ready to install.

Carb, plumbing, headers now mounted and Filip seen here wrapping the pipes with heat tape - Dirty job but someone has to do it.

Today is Filips' day!

Wiring all done, oiled up and ready to go.
God only knows the last time this bike was ridden, but one thing i can say is that Filip didn't want to stop riding!

This little competition engine pulls along just fine and the
bike is actually quite comfortable.

Video : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4HXs4GxXnmY

Lot's of hard work here and some heartache but once the job is done the end results should speak for themselves.

Green with Envy

Matt J has done it again, this time it's a sweet looking XS650.
Chopped, lowered, modified rear with a cusom seat,
HD front guard for a rear and a Sparto tailight.
Mikuni carbs, SS headers with baffles, Biltwell bars and much more!!

Rat n' Rod day 2010

Father's day is Rat Rod day.


This is now the only custom car/bike
show i go to and i really look forward
to this event.
This year was no exception and even
though the weather looked like it was
going to ruin the weekend, Sunday came
and the clouds went away!

We met at Newtown on Sunday morning.
I was quite surprised at the turn out. I remember
a few years ago only six of us attended!

Celebrity guest appearances by
Guinness book of records
The most tattooed man on the planet.
Mr. Lucky Diamond Rich (right) and
Krazy Kustom nutter Mr Von Daz! (below)

It was good to see some old faces and also
meet new people. We had a bite, warmed up
and proceeded to Taren point.

 

Here are a few pics, i'll show off mostly bikes but there was much more going on carwise...

you can find those on other blogs or sites!

Matt J blue and green bikes. The green built in 2006
still looks awesome. New owner Anthony R.

                 

                          Luke B's BSA >>

I can't rememeber the person's name who this
brown BSA bobber belongs to, but it is a
good looking beast. My Triton stands next to it.

        Geoff B's Triumph with a wild girder.

       



   

      The "Triumphant" by Von Daz.

My nephew Ari going ape over this Rat.
(We like to start them off young)

           Ezio's Triumph hi-pipe chopper.

The boys from Evolution have also become regulars
at this event, sporting some nice custom lightweights.

And the grand finale - My son Anthony and Matt J with the Lowrider Matt J built all those years ago.
This was the inspiration that drove Matt to build the
Mexican styled Triumph blue bobber...
These two finally meet as the day draws to an end.

See you there next year!!

Bombardier heads south

I remember the day Von Daz purchased a frame, engine cases, some scattered parts as a job lot and then telling me he was going to build a BSA Bobber...That was in 2006-07.

The BSA was then sold to Luke who continued to maintain and enjoy this machine. As it turns Luke now has other commitments and has passed on the torch. It's like a family thing, we are all used to seeing it around and now it has to go.

The bike is sold and it is going to a good home where the new owner will have a rare opportunity to enjoy a one of a kind Kustom bobber.

Following is a description of this special BSA.

*** ** BSA Custom Bobber ** ***


Frame is 1947 BSA A7 rigid.

Engine is 1973 A65 Lightning.

Worked engine featuring spitfire cam, gas flowed 34mm headwork, large intake valves, stainless steel SRM pushrods, SRM 840cc big bore kit, SRM high volume oil pump, roller bearing conversion with quil end oil feed.
Cases are highly polished, timing side cover custom made to take fully re-built Joe Hunt magneto. This bike starts first or second kick, has great torque, power and revs smoothly.
Two 34mm Mikuni Carbs with custom velocity stacks feed this alloy head beast with custom headers to allow for quick gas release.
Gearbox is 4 speed with 21 tooth drive sprocket and a custom belt drive open primary system. Everything works smoothly as it should.

Up front, Genuine 1942 WLA springer with Black powder coated springs and chrome fork legs. Special dampner system custom fitted for better handling. This front end was specially engineered to work with tapered bearings and also has custom alloy top tree and risers. Dragbars with alloy leavers help keep everyhting under control.
Front 21" wheel, Avon Rib tyre and XT350 modified drum brake brings you to a stop. Speedo drive is fitted if you desire to put one on. This is not your typical run off the mill generic springer, it has been correctly and painstakingly engineered so it not only looks good but works as it should and very well at that.
Rear 16" wheel, Metzler whitewall tyre, BSA QD hub with alloy brake plate, custom torque stay and custom lever.
Petrol tank is BSA with metallic grey paint and checkered flag old skool number 47. Saddle is period old skool also with 3" barrel springs, slung low for that sleek look. Rear guard is genuine Triumph chopped and radius fit with matching paint work.

Rear tail light is super rare Genuine Lucas spot modified and chromed with custom made number plate bracket. Headlight is Bates type with custom alloy brackets.
Oil tank is custom stainless steel with custom brackets. Oil filter system is custom underside mounted for maximum air flow to aid in oil cooling. Custom oil pressure gauge and alloy bracket.
Modified and chromed chainguard and an incredible sidestand system utilising a Triumph sidestand. Handmade alloy knuckle duster kick starter.
Simple but effective hidden wiring and battery eliminated.

The machine rides and handles exceptionally well. Arguably one of the best heavily customised BSA Bobbers to hit the streets.
Featured in OzBike, Dice #11, Greasy Kulture and TCB magazines.
In conclusion, a well built and thought out custom motorcycle featuring loads of custom work with killer looks and performance to match.